Please exercise the right to vote

An upsurge in early voting for Tuesday's election was a positive sign, and we hope that turnout will be good at polls around the county.

So far, the weather forecast for the day appears good, and we hope all registered voters have scheduled some time to cast their votes.

While we always encourage voters to prepare for casting their ballots with sufficient information about candidates in the race and the candidates' views on issues of concern, the presence of four referendums on the ballot is continuing to bring charges and countercharges about misinformation about the questions.

Abortion continues to be among the most controversial issues in the United States, and supporters and opponents of Amendment 1 on the ballot have spent millions of dollars to influence voters to support one side or the other.

Wording of the amendment does require some study to determine its precise effect on abortion rights in the state. We hope all who have voted and who plan to vote on the question have done thorough research.

The same is true for Amendment 2 that addresses the method of selection for appeals judges, including state Supreme Court justices, in the state.

Amendment 3 appears fairly direct in regard to its effect, banning of taxation of income in the state, but the full ramifications of approval of such an amendment also needs review.

Amendment 4 has generated the least debate of the four questions, and ostensibly would allow veterans organizations, as other non-profit groups, to benefit from the proceeds of lotteries.

Voters in Murfreesboro and Smyrna also can vote on a referendum to allow sale of wine in grocery stores.

We again encourage everyone also to take the time to make decisions about leadership in their towns, the state and Congress. Combinations of those races vary with where the voters live, although all voters live in the 4th Congressional District.

Too often voters fail to participate in midterm elections that lack the excitement, perhaps, of years with presidential elections, but votes on town councils, in the Legislature and in Congress affect many, if not most, aspects of the lives of voters and their families.

Voting allows direct participation in deciding who makes those decisions, and that should be important to everyone who has the privilege of voting.

The opinions in this space represent a consensus of discussion by The Daily News Journal Editorial Board.